MIAMI - Twenty-seven individuals were charged in 13 narcotics-related indictments with selling "cut" for cocaine or heroin, knowing and intending that it would be used to manufacture significant amounts of cocaine or heroin for future distribution.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations Division, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Miami-Dade Police Department, City of Miami Police Department, Homestead Police Department, Broward Sheriff's Office, Coral Springs Police Department, and Hollywood Police Department.
A cutting agent is a specifically formulated, powdered chemical used to dilute the primary drug, such as cocaine or heroin, before it is sold on the street.
Charged in the indictments were:
These defendants are individually charged with a variety of narcotics-related offenses, including conspiracy to aid and abet the manufacture and distribution of controlled substances, attempting to aid and abet the manufacture and distribution of controlled substances, and selling and offering to sell narcotics paraphernalia.
If convicted, the statutory maximum sentence is up to life in prison.
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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security.
ICE is a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities. For more information, visit www.ICE.gov. To report suspicious activity, call 1-866-347-2423 or complete our tip form.